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United States Patent |
5,274,967
|
Mladichek
|
January 4, 1994
|
Roof assembly
Abstract
A roof assembly includes a frame having primary beams, secondary beams
mounted transversely on the primary beams, and a ceiling grid suspended
from the secondary beams. A method of assembling the roof assembly
includes assembling the primary beams over the ceiling grid and connecting
the secondary beams to the primary beams. The assembly is assembled on the
ground and lifted to a fully installed position using a transportable
lift.
Inventors:
|
Mladichek; Branko (Hoppers Crossing, AU)
|
Assignee:
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Mladichek Nominees Pty. Ltd. (Hoppers Crossing, AU)
|
Appl. No.:
|
768246 |
Filed:
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October 15, 1991 |
PCT Filed:
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April 19, 1990
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PCT NO:
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PCT/AU90/00157
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371 Date:
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October 15, 1991
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102(e) Date:
|
October 15, 1991
|
PCT PUB.NO.:
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WO90/12933 |
PCT PUB. Date:
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November 1, 1990 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
52/93.1; 52/126.1; 52/126.5; 52/745.2 |
Intern'l Class: |
E04B 007/16 |
Field of Search: |
52/90,126.1,745,126.5
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
4015389 | Apr., 1977 | Thompson | 52/475.
|
4162595 | Jul., 1979 | Ramos et al. | 52/69.
|
4570396 | Feb., 1986 | Struben | 52/90.
|
4773192 | Sep., 1988 | Andrews | 52/90.
|
4802316 | Feb., 1989 | Kelly et al. | 52/90.
|
4858398 | Aug., 1989 | Ricchini | 52/90.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
106241 | Apr., 1942 | AU.
| |
2235456 | Apr., 1957 | AU.
| |
3341257 | Apr., 1959 | AU.
| |
265361 | Aug., 1963 | AU.
| |
2291477 | Sep., 1978 | AU.
| |
1395947 | May., 1975 | GB.
| |
2061349 | May., 1981 | GB.
| |
Primary Examiner: Friedman; Carl D.
Assistant Examiner: Leno; Matthew E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Price, Heneveld, Cooper, DeWitt & Litton
Claims
I claim:
1. An integrated roofing assembly for a new building, the assembly
comprising:
a ceiling grid assembled on the ground at a construction site and adapted
to support ceiling tiles;
a frame, said frame including primary beams positioned on said ceiling grid
and arranged parallel to each other, and secondary beams positioned on and
connected to said primary beams and arranged transversely to said primary
beams, said ceiling grid being located beneath said frame and being
connected to said secondary beams, and said frame having lifting points;
roof cladding elements coupled to said frame, said primary and secondary
beams acting together to structurally support said roof cladding elements;
whereby said roofing assembly is assembled on the ground as an integrated
unit without additional peripheral support structure for lifting into a
fully installed position using transportable lifting means removably
coupled to said lifting points.
2. An integrated roofing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said primary
beams are selected from a group consisting of universal beams, channels
and Z cold rolled metal sections.
3. An integrated roofing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
secondary beams are formed from C or Z cold rolled metal sections.
4. An integrated roofing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said primary
beams are spaced apart by a distance in a range from 4 to 12 meters.
5. An integrated roofing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the
secondary beams are spaced apart by a distance in a range from 0.3 to 2
meters.
6. An integrated roofing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said ceiling
tiles are plaster ceiling tiles supported by said suspended ceiling grid.
7. An integrated roofing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
assembly has a pitch of less than 10 degrees when fully assembled and
installed.
8. An integrated roofing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly
further includes electrical wiring, lights, gutters, skylights, vents,
fascias, insulation and ducting.
9. An integrated roofing assembly according to claim 1 further including
transportable lifting means, wherein said transportable lifting means is
one or more chain blocks or mobile cranes.
10. The integrated roof assembly according to claim 1 wherein said primary
beams are adapted to extend between at least two vertical load bearing
columns, said secondary beams are mounted on top of said primary beams,
and said ceiling grid is positioned below said primary beams and suspended
from said secondary beams.
11. The integrated roofing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said
ceiling grid includes lighting and ventilation panels, and further
including lights, wiring, and ventilation ducts.
12. The integrated roofing assembly of claim 1 in which said secondary
beams are positioned on the upper surfaces of said primary beams.
13. The integrated roofing assembly of claim 2 in which said secondary
beams are positioned on the upper surfaces of said primary beams.
14. The integrated roofing assembly of claim 3 in which said secondary
beams are positioned on the upper surfaces of said primary beams.
15. The integrated roofing assembly of claim 4 in which said secondary
beams are positioned on the upper surfaces of said primary beams.
16. The integrated roofing assembly of claim 5 in which said secondary
beams are positioned on the upper surfaces of said primary beams.
17. The integrated roofing assembly of claim 8 in which said secondary
beams are positioned on the upper surfaces of said primary beams.
18. The integrated roofing assembly of claim 9 in which said secondary
beams are positioned on the upper surfaces of said primary beams.
19. The integrated roofing assembly of claim 10 in which said secondary
beams are positioned on the upper surfaces of said primary beams.
20. A method of constructing and erecting an integrated roofing assembly,
the method comprising the steps of:
laying out a ceiling grid on the ground;
laying out primary beams parallel to each other on said ceiling grid, with
said ceiling grid being located beneath said primary beams;
installing load bearing columns around the periphery of said ceiling grid
and primary beams, each of said primary beams adapted to extend between
two of said columns;
fixing secondary beams to said primary beams in a direction transverse
thereto to form a frame, said primary and secondary beams acting together
to provide structural support for roof cladding members;
connecting said ceiling grid to said secondary beams;
installing electrical wiring and lights;
dropping ceiling tiles into position on said ceiling grid;
preparing lifting points on said primary or secondary beams;
lifting said roofing assembly into position on said load bearing columns
using chain blocks or mobile cranes coupled to said lifting points;
securing said roofing assembly to said load bearing columns; and
removing said chain blocks or mobile cranes.
21. A method according to claim 20 wherein the method further includes the
step of bracing said load bearing columns to improve their load bearing
capacity.
22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the method includes the steps of
fixing roof cladding to the frame, installing insulation and installing
gutters, skylights, vents and fascias before the step of lifting the
roofing assembly into position.
23. A method according to claim 21 including the steps of constructing
foundations, and forming a concrete slab, prior to the step of laying out
the ceiling grid.
24. A method of constructing a building according to claim 21 wherein the
method includes the following steps prior to constructing the foundations:
testing and assessing a site for the construction;
preparing the site ready for construction;
certifying the site for particular types of constructions; and
maintaining the site ready for construction.
25. The method of claim 20 in which said secondary beams are fixed to the
upper surfaces of said primary beams.
26. The method of claim 21 in which said secondary beams are fixed to the
upper surfaces of said primary beams.
27. The method of claim 22 in which said secondary beams are fixed to the
upper surfaces of said primary beams.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to roof assemblies and a method of installing
a roof assembly to form the roof of a building such as a factory or
commercial building.
Normally a building is constructed by installing the foundations and
floors, constructing a framework for the walls and roof, and then
installing the elements which make up the walls, ceiling and roofing, The
plumbing and wiring are usually installed once the shell of the building
has been constructed.
Typically, the roof of a building in particular is constructed in situ,
that is, above the ground. Constructing anything above ground level adds
to the cost of construction.
Where buildings have been required in locations having high construction
costs, they have been fabricated in modules that have been transported to
the site and assembled in situ thereby considerably reducing the cost of
labour required at the site. However, to be transportable such modular
buildings have lacked aesthetic appeal and when the high cost of transport
is taken into account, have not been competitive in situations where
construction labour is readily available.
Because the roof of a building is largely assembled above the ground it
usually represents a disproportionately high component of the total cost
of construction. There is therefore a considerable economic advantage to
be obtained by assembling a roof on the ground and lifting it into
position as a unitary structure.
Patent application Ser. No. 22914/77 describes a prefabricated roof
structure having an underlying peripheral support to provide rigidity so
that the structure can be raised as a unit. The prefabricated structure
described includes roof trusses, fasica, guttering and rafters. The
structure is supported at a level slightly above the ground while tiling
or roof sheeting is applied to the frame. The structure is then raised so
that the ceiling and soffits can be readily fitted from ground level. The
roof structure may be raised by hydraulic or mechanical jacks or cranes
according to circumstances.
The proposal described in patent application Ser. No. 22914/77 suffers from
a number of disadvantages. Firstly the roof is so designed that it is
necessary to add a peripheral support to provide rigidity. The additional
materials and time required to construct the support add to the cost of
the structure. Secondly the multi-lift assembly of the structure, adds to
the cost and increases the risk of accidents arising especially while the
ceiling is being installed. An objective of the present invention is
therefore to reduce the cost of constructing and installing building roofs
and overcome the problems associated with previous proposals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a non-transportable roofing
assembly for a new building comprising a frame, roof cladding elements and
ceiling elements but no additional peripheral support structure, the
roofing assembly being specifically designed to be assembled on the ground
and lifted into position as an assembly using transportable lifting means.
The assembly design takes account of lifting rigidity, total weight,
location of lifting points, type of lifting means to be used, stability
during erection, securing and safety.
In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of
constructing a building roof comprising designing a footing assembly to be
assembled on the ground and lifted into position using transportable
lifting means, constructing a roof frame on the ground near a building to
be roofed using elements having a high strength to weight ratio,
installing ceiling and filing elements on the frame to form a roof
assembly, lifting the roof assembly into position using transportable
lifting means, and securing the roof assembly to load bearing columns
forming part of said building.
The transportable lifting means may comprise one or more chain blocks or
mobile cranes.
If chain blocks are to be used to raise the assembly into position, the
assembly will be constructed directly below its installed position. Power
for the chain blocks may be supplied from the power lines installed within
the assembly. Once the roofing assembly has been raised to its installed
position, the primary beams can be bolted to neighbouring load bearing
columns.
The roof frame may be formed from primary beams made from universal beams,
channels or cold rolled Z sections and secondary beams or purlins formed
from c or z metal cold rolled sections. The primary beams may be spaced
such that the distance between them lies in the range between 4 and 12
meters. The secondary beams may be spaced such that the distance between
them lies in the range from 0.3 to 2 meters. The roof cladding elements
may be any metal deck such as for example, Lysaght Brownbuilt "Trimdek".
The ceiling elements may be "Rondo" or similar suspended ceiling grids
having plaster ceiling tiles.
Preferably the roof ash a pitch of less than 10 degrees.
Preferably also, electrical wiring, lights, gutters, skylights, vents,
fascias, insulation and any ducting are installed prior to lifting the
roofing assembly into position.
A particularly preferred method of constructing a roof according to the
present invention comprises the steps of:
(1) laying out primary beams and a ceiling grid,
(2) installing load bearing columns,
(3) positioning the primary beams,
(4) assembling the ceiling grid,
(5) fixing purlins to the primary beams to form a frame,
(6) connecting the ceiling grid to the purlins,
(7) installing electrical wiring and lights,
(8) dropping ceiling panels into position,
(9) fixing roof cladding to the frame and installing insulation,
(10) installing gutters, skylights, vents and fascias,
(11) preparing lifting points.
(12) lifting the roofing assembly into position on the load bearing columns
using chain blocks or mobile cranes,
(13) securing the roofing assembly to the load bearing columns,
(14) bracing the load bearing columns to improve their load bearing
capacity,
(15) removing the chain blocks or mobile cranes and
(16) finishing off around the load bearing points.
Ideally the method of the present invention forms part of a method for very
fast building construction. This preferably involves the off-site
construction of service room modules such as kitchens, bathrooms and
toilets for subsequent installation in the building in a completely
assembled state. Typically such a method involves the following steps:
(1) constructing foundations,
(2) forming a concrete slab,
(3) installing load bearing columns,
(4) constructing a roof according to the method of the present invention
simultaneously with the preceding steps,
(5) installing service modules constructed off-site,
(6) constructing external and internal walls, and
(7) completing fit-out and finishing off.
Preferably very fast building construction also includes utilization in the
pre-construction period of an integrated site management system. Such a
system involves testing and assessing a construction site, preparing the
site ready for construction, certifying the site for particular types of
construction and maintaining it ready for construction. This system is
more particularly described in co-pending patent application Ser. No.
PJ8340.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a concrete slab having a polyethylene sheet
and primary beams positioned thereon;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the concrete slab, polyethylene sheet and
primary beams according to FIG. 1 and further including a ceiling grid;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the roof assembly according to FIG. 2, and
further including lighting and ventilation points;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the roof assembly according to FIG. 3, and
further including load bearing columns;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the roof assembly according to FIG. 4, and
further including secondary beams;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the roof assembly according to FIG. 5, and
further including extension, chain blocks and a control box;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the roof assembly according to FIG. 6 in
the erected position; and
FIG. 8 is a construction schedule.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 depicts a concrete slab 1 having a sheet of polyethylene 2 placed
over its upper surface. Primary beams 3, 4, 5 and 6 are then laid out
across the polythene 2 placed. Primary beams 3, 4, 5 and 6 may be laid out
across the concrete slab with a clearance of about 50 mm from the upper
surface of the slab 1.
FIG. 2 depicts a ceiling grid 7 laid out between the primary beams 3, 4, 5
and 6. The 50 mm clearance enables the ceiling grid 7 to be laid out under
the primary beams. Lighting points 8 and ventilation points 9 are inserted
in the ceiling grid as shown in FIG. 3 Ceiling tiles may be installed at
this stage or after the roof has been raised. Load bearing columns 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are installed in the slab adjacent to the ends
of the primary beams (FIG. 4).
FIG. 5 depicts the concrete slab, the primary beams and the load bearing
columns without the ceiling grid and attached lighting and ventilation
points. Purlins or secondary beams 18 are laid out in a direction
transverse to the primary beams 3, 4, 5, 6. The secondary beams are
connected to the primary beams and the ceiling rid is connected to the
secondary beams.
Ideally gutters, gutter boards and wiring (not shown) are installed at this
stage. All fascias 25, (FIG. 7) flashings, gutters, skylights, vents,
services and other installations are completed ready for elevation of the
roof.
The load bearing columns, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are extended by
means of extension 20 and chain blocks 19 are attached to the top of the
extensions as shown in FIG. 6. The electric chain blocks 19 are controlled
from a central control box 21 and the roofing assembly raised to its
erected position as shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 depicts the roofing assembly 22 in its erected position. The roof
has a ridge line 23 and a pitch of less than 10 degrees. Bracing 24 is
installed between columns 15 and 16 and columns 11 and 12 (not shown).
It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications to the preferred embodiment described and disclosed herein
can be made. Such modifications will be considered as within the scope of
the claims appended herebelow unless such claims by their language
expressly state otherwise.
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